The EDA Revolving Loan Fund Program is a staple of the federal economic development access to capital delivery system. The program, established in 1975, is designed to provide grants to state and local governments, political subdivisions, and nonprofit organizations to operate a lending program that offers low-interest loans to businesses that cannot get traditional bank financing. Grant recipients are required to manage their RLF according to their RLF administrative plan, a document that describes the lending strategy and administrative procedures for a specific RLF project.
The EDA RLF Resource Center is provided as a component of the
CDFA EDA RLF Best Practices Program. The Resource Center is a centralized location to learn about a variety of best practices related to revolving loan funds and download materials from trainings and webinars as well as sample loan applications, marketing materials, RLF plans, regulatory guidance, and more.
EDA RLF Grantees are encouraged to share sample materials from their organizations. Resources should be sent to
info@cdfa.net.
For more information on the EDA Revolving Loan Fund Program pleasse visit EDAs website at
www.eda.gov/rlf/.
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CDFA-EDA Revolving Loan Fund Best Practices Handbook
Throughout the CDFA EDA RLF Best Practices Program, several common characteristics emerged from high performing RLFs. The best practices outlined in this guide synthesize these exceptional traits and address the strategies employed by successful EDA...
A Guide to Public Sector Business Loan Funds
This report, produced by the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation and the Development District Association of Appalachia, examines the role of public sector loan funds and includes discussions on best practices
Establishing a Revolving Loan Fund
This fact sheet, produced by the Ohio State University Extension, discusses how to establish a loan fund to encourage small business development in a community. Included in this fact sheet is a discussion on the role of Revolving Loan Funds and the basic steps in establishing a Revolving Loan Fund.
Administering a Revolving Loan Fund
This fact sheet, produced by the Ohio State University Extension, discusses the basics of administering a Revolving Loan Fund. The fact sheet includes advice from application through loan servicing.
Revolving Loan Fund Reference Guide
The Revolving Loan Fund Reference Guide offers an in-depth look at RLF program development, implementation and management. This guide demonstrates how a RLF program can complement economic development strategies, encourage investment and assist traditionally underserved businesses. With seven case studies of proven RLF programs and over twenty sample documents, policies, and applications, this guide covers the essential elements of operating a successful RLF program.
CDFA EDA Revolving Loan Fund Webinar Series: Revisiting Your Revolving Loan Fund Plan
Designing the Revolving Loan Fund is one of the most critical aspects of the program process. The design process should be thorough and clearly defined to address the goals and objectives of the RLF while also clearly outlining the expectations of borrowers. It’s important to have regular reviews of the RLF program to make sure it is still relevant and effective.
CDFA EDA Revolving Loan Fund Webinar Series: Building Partnerships to Maximize Your RLF Impact
The varying size of Revolving Loan Funds leaves many organizations without the financial and staff capacity to effectively support all aspects of a lending program and building partnerships can enhance its effectiveness and impact. Key partnerships could include providing technical assistance for borrowers, outsourcing the servicing of the portfolio, or even in some cases, partnering with another organization that can assume the management of the entire RLF program. Listen as Robyn Jacobson, Robin Weis, and Andy Rachlin discuss the various partnerships your organization can structure in order to maximize your RLF's impact.
CDFA EDA Revolving Loan Fund Webinar Series: Best Practices in Revolving Loan Fund Marketing
Hundreds of Revolving Loan Fund programs exist nationwide that are underutilized and in many cases unknown to the business and development industry. Marketing the RLF is a critical component in operating a successful program. A RLF agency should consider a variety of outreach methods in their specific community or region that can be employed in a marketing program. Listen Becca Schrader and Robin Weis discussed the best practices and innovative strategies they have learned and developed in marketing their RLF programs.
CDFA EDA Revolving Loan Fund Webinar Series: Utilizing the Toolbox Approach
Hundreds of development finance programs exist at the federal, state, and local level. These programs have been created to address the financing needs of business, industry, real estate, housing, environmental and community development entities. Individually, none of these programs are a silver bullet solution to economic development challenges. The toolbox approach brings together the best of these financing concepts and techniques to provide a comprehensive response to capital and resource needs. Listen as Toby Rittner with the Council of Development Finance Agencies discusses the various development finance tools that can be utilized to enhance the efforts of your Revolving Loan Fund.
View More EDA Revolving Loan Fund Webinars